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However, changes in recent years also mean that the winners of the Champions League and Europa League will also qualify for the competition regardless of the position in their domestic table.

Therefore, if the winners of both European competitions this season come from the Premier League, the fourth position in the standings may not result in qualification for the Champions League, but transfer to the Europa League instead.

Here we take a look at the permutations...

How Spurs can finish fourth and miss out on the Champions League

It doesn't bear thinking about for Tottenham fans.

They've been through this before, back in 2012 when Chelsea went on an incredible run in the Champions League, winning the trophy for the first time and finishing outside of the top four.

Back then, only four teams from one country were allowed in, meaning Spurs missed out. It was after that situation arose, that UEFA changed the rules to allow five in extenuating circumstances.

Chelsea's players pose with the trophy after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 2012. (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

This year, it could happen again.

If Manchester City and Liverpool both finish in the top four, as expected, this nightmare scenario would be possible for Tottenham if they were to finish fourth and Manchester United go on to win the Champions League while finishing outside the top four, with one of Arsenal or Chelsea also winning the Europa League.

How Arsenal can finish fourth and miss out on the Champions League

This situation has a higher probability of happening, purely because in this situation one of two teams in the last eight of the Champions League could win it, finishing outside of the top four - Spurs or United.

But Chelsea would also have to go on and beat Arsenal to the Europa League title as well, for the Gunners to then miss out on the Champions League.